Community News

Following completion of its expansion project, Robey Memorial Library will hold a Grand Re-Opening Dedication and Open House Saturday, September 13 from 2-4 p.m. The Library invites all community members to take part in the celebration activities at 401 First Avenue NW location in Waukon.
The library expansion more than doubled the size of the library to add space for books, more computer stations, small study rooms, and a new community room.
Celebration events include a dedication ceremony at 2 p.m.; library tours; room naming contest; silent auction; a "make & take" activity for kids; special displays; photo presentation; and refreshments.

by Brianne Eilers
 
Members of the Northeast Iowa Quilters Guild spent Saturday, August 16 working at Queen Jean Quilting in Waukon to put the finishing touches on the Quilts of Valor that are heading to South   Carolina for the 50th Anniversary of the 1stLAAM Battalion Bravo Battery. These men were some of the first Marines to go into Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Quilter Barbara Davidson, of Decorah, and her husband, Harry, will be taking over 20 quilts to the reunion in Charleston, SC for distribution among the veterans. Harry Davidson was among those first Marines going into Vietnam.
The quilts were made my local quilters (some of whom are pictured in surrounding photos) who volunteered their time and materials to make these Quilts of Valor. The quilts are stored in a matching, handmade pillowcase, and each quilt contains a label on the back with the names of the volunteers who helped to make their quilt.

by Bob Beach

Royal Car Wash, located at 501 Rossville Road in Waukon, is now under new ownership. Bob and Deb Jacobsen of Clermont purchased the car wash facility from Rich and Mary Dreckman of Waukon July 23, and have some plans to further "clean up" with additional services to be offered at the current site.
"We are customer service-oriented, and the idea to renovate the storage bay into a detail shop is one way for us to provide more service to the area and be more accessible at the car wash," the Jacobsens explain. An existing storage bay within the facility is currently being renovated to provide a vehicle detailing service where vehicle owners can choose anywhere from a basic detailing package to a deluxe treatment. The detailing service will also offer gift card promotions, and businesses that wish to have a direct billing account will have a fleet package made available to them. Plans are to have the detailing service available by mid-August.

Those looking for something fun to do with the family before the summer winds down should look no further than their own public library, where they can pick up their 2014 Driftless Safari Tote Bag, Guidebook and Map and begin their Driftless Safari adventure.
The Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) staff, along with help from Allamakee County Conservation, have 20 posts securely planted and ready for the “hunt”. Participants can just follow the clues in the guidebook, with new sites added to this year’s tour.
The Safari through Labor Day and participants can take their time to explore each location or can complete the entire trip in a day or weekend. Once the guidebook is completed with a visit to all 20 Driftless Safari sites throughout Allamakee County, participants can return to the library for a coupon good for one free ice cream cone compliments of WW Homestead Dairy at Waukon (one coupon per guidebook).

by Bob Beach

Pictured above, left to right: Second place: Issac Johanningmeier - "Wormin Around"; First place: Nooch White - "Cow Poop"; Third place: Olivia Schmelzer - "Worm Face". Submitted photo.

Bob and Gloria Hanson of Waukon were honored with the 2014 Bernie Heffern Memorial 4-H Family Award by members of the Bob and Bernie Heffern family before the 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction Sunday, July 20 at the 2014 Allamakee County Fair. The award was created by the Heffern family in memory of Bernie Heffern, who passed away in 2008 and was very passionate about all areas of 4-H and its importance in the lives of youth and their families. She and her husband, Bob, were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2007 for their lifelong dedication to 4-H.  Each year during fair week, the Allamakee County Fair Board and the Heffern family select a family that emulates the Heffern family attitude of helping others, working well with each other, and going above and beyond for the fair. The Hansons' children were involved in 4-H growing up, and they have been an active 4-H family for many years.

by Bob Beach

As part of his "Building Iowa's Future" initiative, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (far right) paid a visit to the KolGol manufacturing facility east of Waukon Friday, July 25, where he met with KolGol employees and supporters. Branstad shared the stage with other Republican candidates, including Adam Gregg (far left), who is challenging Democrat Tom Miller for Iowa's Attorney General office in the general election this November, and Lowell Engle of Harpers Ferry (second from left), who announced his candidacy for the District 56 seat in the State House of Representatives, currently held by Democrat Patti Ruff. Branstad was also joined by State Senator Michael Breitbach (third from left), who expressed his support for Branstad and the other candidates. Standard photo by Bob Beach.